On a cold, blustery February day in 1756, large crowds gathered on both sides of the River Thames at Woolwich to witness the launch of the Royal Navy’s latest ship. With a displacement of over two thousand tons and carrying a hundred guns on three decks, the Royal George was the largest ship afloat in the world. She was soon hastened into service, as the fighting that had started between French and British colonists in North America, spread to Europe. The Seven Years War would be fought across the globe, which meant that the side that was victorious at sea, would ultimately triumph. Once commissioned, the Royal George joined the Channel Fleet, and was the flagship of several admirals, includ
Captain James McNamara was known as one of the Royal Navy’s best fighting captains. Born into a naval family from County Clare on the Atlantic coast of Ireland, he had joined the service as a fourteen-year old during the American War of Independence. Almost immediately his ship was sent out to join Admiral Hughes in the Indian Ocean, and McNamara served through most of the campaign fought against France’s Eastern fleet under the brilliant Admiral De Suffren. What the youngster from Ireland made of being whisked across the globe to the exotic orient is not recorded, but he thrived as a naval officer. He was promoted to lieutenant within six years of joining the navy, commander five years late
